The exercises offered here are the fundamentals for swimming and are meant for children who can stand in waist- to chest-deep water, but are not limited to a particular age group.
Submerging Under Water
There are many games and activities to teach your child to get his face wet, but actually going under can be a little more difficult. “Bobs,” basically squatting, then standing or jumping up, are a simple way to increase a child’s comfort.
First have your child try bending his knees until the water touches his chin; then stand up straight. Then have him try squatting until the water comes over his mouth; and again, stand up straight. Then bob down so that both mouth and nose are under. Finally, bob down till the water comes over his head.
A child may not feel comfortable enough to go under on the first day – allow them to go at their own pace. Children can also hold on to the side of the pool when doing bobs to enhance the feeling of security.
Floating on Back
Floating is an essential skill, not only for good swimming, but also for survival. Floating should be practiced repeatedly and parents should be in the water to perform this exercise.
Support your child’s back and legs, holding your child from the side or by standing behind him so that the top of his head rests against your stomach. Encourage him to lie stiff and push his belly up to the ceiling by arching his back. Put your own hand under the small of his lower back to accentuate this posture.
Spreading arms and legs out wide increases the surface area of your child and gives him more stability. When first learning how to float, you can keep your arms under his back until he is ready to try alone, a feat that will require his ears to be submerged. Slowly lower your hands, letting him know that you’re still underneath. Children typically sink because they are frightened and try to sit up, changing their center of gravity and causing them to go under.
Floating On Front
Doing the “dead man’s float” or lying face-down is much like back floating, except your child must be able to hold his breath and put his face in the water.
To begin teaching your child to float on his front, support his body with your arms under his thighs and chest. To give more support, you can have your child do this at the edge of the pool where he can hold on to the side with both hands.
A front float should be straight with the child’s back raised slightly towards the ceiling. Encourage your child to kick and move his arms in any fashion to acquaint him with the feeling of moving about on his front.
A Child’s Pace
Take cues from your child about how fast to progress with swimming. If your child seems nervous or scared about an activity, return to something simpler that he has already accomplished.
Enrolling him into a swimming class where he can see other children doing the same activities also boosts morale and gives many children incentive to try new things.
However you decide to teach your child, be ready to get in the pool with them. Not only does the parent increase the child’s comfort and safety, but it’s just fun.
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